SIM card and method for producing same

ABSTRACT

A SIM card in plug-in format with an integrated SIM card in mini format is disclosed which has electrical contacts for an electrical connection to contacts on a mobile device. The SIM card comprises punched cutouts adjacent to the integrated mini SIM card, with the integrated mini SIM card being connected to the rest of the plug-in SIM card only by some connecting points. This means that the mini SIM card is affixed detachably. In this regard, the punched cutouts and the connecting points are arranged such that the integrated mini SIM card can be detached from the rest of the plug-in card. The punched cutouts may be cut out at edges around the integrated mini SIM card at the points at which the electrical contacts of the mobile device can slide over when the SIM card is inserted into the mobile device.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/EP2011/062928 filed on Jul. 27, 2011, and which in turn claimspriority from Swiss Patent Application No. 2010CH-1406 filed on Aug. 31,2010. Each of the above identified application is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a SIM card in plug-in format according to theindependent product claim and to a method for producing same.

STATE OF THE ART

SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards are used among others in GSM andUMTS mobile radio networks for identifying the mobile users. In thisconnection, different card formats have been defined. Older mobiledevices or devices where the SIM card is to be exchanged often mostlyuse SIM cards in credit card format, the so-called ID-1 format. In thecase of modern and smaller mobile devices, so-called plug-in SIM cardsin the ID-000 format have become prevalent. Even smaller are theso-called mini UICC SIM cards that are used with increasing frequency inmodern miniaturized mobile devices. These SIM card formats are specifiedamong others in the GSM specification TS102 221 v9.1.0.

EP0521778 describes such a SIM card in plug-in format that is arrangedin a larger SIM card in credit card format. The plug-in card issurrounded by punched cutouts and is only connected through someconnecting points with the rest of the larger card. By pressing on theplug-in card, the latter can be separated from the larger card and thusused in a mobile device that only accepts SIM cards in plug-in format.

WO0043950 describes another data support carrier with a break-off chipcard in plug-in format. Within the plug-in card, a further predeterminedbreak line is provided to further reduce the size of the SIM card. Withthis solution, mobile radio network operators can distributed adaptableSIM cards to all their mobile users without having to pay heed to thetype of used mobile device; the mobile user himself can adapt the cardto the required size by appropriately separating connection bridges.

A similar solution is also described in WO2006069965, which describesdifferent pre-cutout processes.

In order for the smaller card to be separated cleanly from the largercard, great care is required during the manufacture of the connectionbridges. It is in particular necessary to ensure that these bridges canbe broken resp. separated cleanly without undesired burrs or uncleantear-off edges remaining that could prevent the mobile device from beingplugged-in or even damage the electrical contacts within the mobiledevice. It is just as important that the separation occurs exactly alongthe desired separation line, so that the separated card in plug-in ormini format has exactly the standardized size and format. In doing so,it is necessary to take care that these connection bridges are onlybroken if this is indeed desired and not done inadvertently, for exampleif the card is bent or otherwise manipulated.

These technical difficulties in the manufacture of the separableconnection bridges have been solved to a large extent with varioussolutions in several patent documents. FR2773900, WO0017814, WO0016257,FR2806661, FR2819081 or WO0115077 all address at least partly thisproblem. Often, the predetermined break line through the connectionpoint is, for example, marked on one or both sides with an engraved linethat clearly reduces the risk of indentation.

This problem of unclean separation of connection bridges has meanwhilebeen solved so well that it no longer or hardly ever occurs in practice.Even a clumsy user can reliably separate the SIM card in plug-in formatfrom the data carrier and subsequently also cleanly separate the card inmini format, without dangerous burrs occurring in the process.

Representation of the Invention

It is thus an aim of the invention to solve the problem of burrs incut-out SIM cards in mini format that are separated by the user.

It is in particular an aim of the invention that a SIM card in plug-informat with an integrated SIM card in mini format can be used in theslot (SIM card reader) of a mobile device without the contacts of themobile device becoming damaged in the process. The aim also consists inbeing able to cleanly break off the SIM card in mini format out of theplug-in.

According to the invention, this aim is achieved with a SIM card havingthe characteristics of the independent device claim and with a methodfor producing same having the characteristics of the independent deviceclaim.

Further advantageous embodiments are indicated in the dependent claims.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be described in more detail on the basis of theattached figures, which show:

FIG. 1 a view of a SIM card according to a first embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 2 a view of a SIM card according to a second embodiment of theinvention.

WAYS OF EXECUTING THE INVENTION

The inventive SIM card 1 according to a first embodiment of theinvention is represented in FIG. 1. A SIM card in plug-in format 1 isshown with an integrated SIM card 2 in mini format that has electricalcontacts 6 for the electrical contact with a mobile device. The contacts6 are the area where the contacts of the mobile device can touch the SIMcard. The SIM card in plug-in format 1 is separated from the integratedSIM card in mini format 2 by punched cutouts 4 and connected on bothsides of the SIM card with lines engraved as predetermined break points5. The SIM card in mini format 2 has four lateral edges 3 on which thecutouts 4 and the lines engraved on both sides 5 are provided. The usercan either break out the SIM card in plug-in format 1 or the SIM card inmini format 2, as needed, using the existing predetermined break points5.

In practice, the SIM card in plug-in format 1 with integrated SIM card 2is currently used. The SIM card is either inserted sideways into themobile device or pressed into the mobile device from above. When slidingit in, a direction of insertion perpendicular to the edges 3 is used.

The inventive SIM card 1 according to a second embodiment of theinvention is represented in FIG. 2. The electrical contacts of the miniSIM card 2 in this embodiment are aligned in relation to the lines 5engraved on one or preferably both sides. In this context, it must benoted that this alignment occurs generally in the direction ofinsertion. The engraved line 5 in this embodiment is shorter andreplaced at the distance between each individual contact with a smallcutout 4, so that the mini SIM card 2 can be separated more easily.

According to the present invention, the punched cutout 4 of the mini SIMcard 2 is cut out around the places where the electrical contacts 6 ofthe mobile device can slide over the SIM card. Thanks to the presentinvention, it is possible to insert the SIM card into the slot of themobile device without the contacts of the mobile device being able toslide over the cutouts 4 and the electrical contacts of the mobiledevice are not damaged or even torn.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, only the four corners areprovided with a cutout 4. Between the cutouts 4, lines 5 engraved on oneor preferably both sides are provided. According to the embodiment ofFIG. 1, lines 5 engraved on one or preferably both sides on oppositelateral edges 3 of the mini SIM card 2 can be provided. The projectionof the contact field over the four edges is thus free from punchedcutouts 4, so that the SIM card in mini format can be inserted into theslot of a mobile device perpendicularly to one of the edges withoutburrs on a cutout 4 being able to drive over the electric contacts ofthe mobile device in the process.

It is however not absolutely necessary for the cutouts 4 to be exactlyaligned with the electrical contacts 6. On the contrary, the cutouts 4can also be slightly larger as long as the electrical contacts 6 of themobile device are not damaged by a possible burr. Generally, theelectrical contacts 6 of the mobile device are in this case smaller thanthe larger electrical contacts of the SIM card.

In both embodiments, at each edge 3 of the mini SIM card 2 an engravedline 5 is provided only along the straight section opposite the contacts6, wherein this line 3 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is unbroken and inthe embodiment of FIG. 2 is broken. The separation line around the miniSIM card 2 can however also contain additional sections that are markedby an engraved line 3 rather than a cutout 4, including sections thatare not provided adjacent to the contact field 6, for example anengraved line 5 around the corners or in the vicinity of the corners ofthe separation line between the mini SIM card 2 and the plug-in SIM card1.

The SIM card in plug-in format can itself be part of a larger SIM card,not represented, in credit card format as data carrier (not represented)and be surrounded by this larger card through a cutout with connectionpoints, wherein these connection points can also be separated by theuser.

The invention also relates to a method for producing such a SIM card 1with the corresponding method steps. In this connection, a mini SIM card2 is first produced within a plug-in card, wherein the mini SIM card issurrounded by a punched cutout 4 and is connected with the rest of theplug-in SIM card 1 only through a few predetermined break points 5,wherein the cutout 4 and the connection points 5 are arranged in such away that the mini SIM card 2 can be separated from the rest of theplug-in card 1 by pressing. In this connection, according to theinvention the cutout 4 is cut out at the edges 3 around the mini SIMcard 2 at the points at which the electrical contacts of the mobiledevice can slide over when the SIM card is inserted into the mobiledevice. In addition, the material between the cutouts 4 around on bothsides of the SIM card is engraved.

The present invention also relates to a mobile device into which aninventive SIM card is inserted.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 SIM card in plug-in format-   2 SIM card in mini format-   3 edge-   4 punched cutouts-   5 lines engraved on both sides/predetermined break point-   6 electrical contacts of the SIM card

What is claimed:
 1. A SIM card in a first format, comprising: anintegrated SIM card in a second format, whereby the integrated SIM cardis smaller than the SIM card, the integrated SIM card comprisingelectrical contacts for providing electrical connection to electricalcontacts of a mobile device, wherein: the SIM card comprises a pluralityof punched cutouts adjacent to the integrated SIM card, the integratedSIM card is connected to the rest of the SIM card by a plurality ofconnecting points, the plurality of punched cutouts and the plurality ofconnecting points are arranged such that the integrated SIM card can bedetached from the rest of the plug-in card, and the plurality of punchedcutouts is arranged based on the electrical contacts of the integratedSIM card, wherein each one of the plurality of punched cutouts lines upwith at least one electrical contact of the integrated SIM card, and awidth of each one of the plurality of punched cutouts corresponds to atleast one dimension of at least one electrical contact of the integratedSIM card with which it is lined up.
 2. The SIM card of claim 1, whereina direction of insertion runs perpendicularly to the edges around theintegrated SIM card.
 3. The SIM card of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof punched cutouts is cut out, at edges around the integrated SIM card,at points determined such that the electrical contacts of the mobiledevice can slide over non-punched sections when the SIM card is insertedinto the mobile device.
 4. The SIM card of claim 1, wherein the SIM cardcomprises engraved lines between the plurality of punched cutouts. 5.The SIM card of claim 4, wherein the engraved lines are engraved on oneside or on both sides of edges around the integrated SIM card.
 6. TheSIM card of claim 4, wherein the electrical contacts of the integratedSIM card are aligned in relation to the engraved lines.
 7. The SIM cardof claim 6, wherein the electrical contacts of the integrated SIM cardare aligned in relation to the engraved lines in a direction ofinsertion of the integrated SIM card into the mobile device.
 8. The SIMcard of claim 4, wherein the engraved lines are provided on laterallyopposite edges of the integrated SIM card.
 9. The SIM card of claim 8,wherein the engraved lines provided on laterally opposite edges of theintegrated SIM card are interrupted by the plurality of punched cutouts.10. The SIM card of claim 1, wherein at each edge of a dividing linearound the integrated SIM card, an engraved line of the plurality ofengraved lines is provided, and that one or more sections of theengraved line are separated from one another by one or more of theplurality of punched cutouts.
 11. The SIM card of claim 10, wherein theengraved line at each edge is provided only along the straight sectionopposite the electrical contacts.
 12. The SIM card of claim 10, whereinthe engraved line at each edge is unbroken.
 13. The SIM card of claim10, wherein the engraved line at each edge consists of several straightsegments of a straight section opposite the electrical contacts.
 14. TheSIM card of claim 1, wherein a dividing line around the integrated SIMcard comprises four straight engraved lines and four rectangularcutouts.
 15. The SIM card of claim 1, wherein a dividing line around theintegrated SIM card comprises of four rectangular cutouts and fourstraight sections, wherein cutouts and engraved lines alternate.
 16. Amethod for producing a SIM card, comprising: manufacturing the SIM cardin a first format, with an integrated SIM card in a second formatwhereby the integrated SIM card is smaller than the SIM card, theintegrated SIM card comprising electrical contacts for providingelectrical connection to electrical contacts of a mobile device,wherein: the SIM card comprises a plurality of punched cutouts adjacentto the integrated SIM card, the integrated SIM card is connected to therest of the SIM card by a plurality of connecting points, and theplurality of punched cutouts and the plurality of connecting points arearranged such that the integrated SIM card can be detached from the restof the plug-in card, and the plurality of punched cutouts is arrangedbased on the electrical contacts of the integrated SIM card, with eachone of the plurality of punched cutouts lines up with at least oneelectrical contact of the integrated SIM card, and a width of each oneof the plurality of punched cutouts corresponds to at least onedimension of at least one electrical contact of the integrated SIM cardwith which it is lined up.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein adirection of insertion runs perpendicularly to the edges around theintegrated SIM card.
 18. The method of claim 16, comprising engraving aplurality of lines between the plurality of punched cutouts.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the engraved lines are engraved on one sideor on both sides of edges around the integrated SIM card.
 20. The methodof claim 18, comprising aligning the electrical contacts of theintegrated SIM card in relation to the engraved lines.
 21. The method ofclaim 20, comprising aligning the electrical contacts of the integratedSIM card in relation to the engraved lines in a direction of insertionof the integrated SIM card into the mobile device.
 22. The method ofclaim 18, comprising engraving the engraved lines laterally oppositeedges of the integrated SIM card.
 23. The method of claim 22, comprisingengraving the engraved lines laterally opposite edges of the integratedSIM card such that the engraved lines are provided that are interruptedby the plurality of punched cutouts.
 24. The method of claim 16, whereinat each edge of a dividing line around the integrated SIM card, anengraved line of the plurality of engraved lines is provided, and thatone or more sections of the engraved line are separated from one anotherby one or more of the plurality of punched cutouts.
 25. The method ofclaim 24, wherein the engraved line at each edge is provided only alongthe straight section opposite the electrical contacts.
 26. The method ofclaim 24, wherein the engraved line at each edge is unbroken.
 27. Themethod of claim 24, wherein the engraved line at each edge consists ofseveral straight segments of a straight section opposite the electricalcontacts.
 28. The method of claim 16, comprising including a dividingline around the integrated SIM card that comprises four straightengraved lines and four rectangular cutouts.
 29. The method of claim 16,comprising including a dividing line around the integrated SIM cardconsists of four rectangular cutouts and four straight sections, whereincutouts and engraved lines alternate.